[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6081317,"mediaKeyId","2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5","parentId",2942860,"title","PGCPS purchasing policy revised after OLA findings; committee recommends changes, seeks more detail before public consideration","audioSeconds",724,"startMs",3414000,"endMs",4138000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5&start=3414&end=4138","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5/thumbnail_3414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081317/Maryland/PGCPS-purchasing-policy-revised-after-OLA-findings-committee-recommends-changes-seeks-more-detail-before-public-consideration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081317-78b83d23438461959289ed754df6eb79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161809&Signature=CNy3LOBYOywzJGgBMX4f1VFnXv~lt8GfKpF-G4Pi7qN~1I7KH3sQo15UMf1RFvOgnoVtMuOmUnxIIruxgUD4ra~D-u~bne3Y1Pq0~SNPIoeu0N5bwtWiYU3sKyQ5ExExtP74UR74A5V1mFAKFmg9QdLGzuk4Htw049wOlmH9RY8vX2oEILM~8v-Z1~w~U~PoO5kxRioe-vF-VkamgTuZ~Emnf1fkvbTzHs0bnpBknR2lfCqVRG9TdntgaC2AGFlWLWS8P8VZJlDcQA0BH3GsL3EpeALsSHwHBBzoZ3fM739yE1mG8qrA1v27~hhkZ7C95VEZ1Yn7uVqKlJA6ovUBmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George's County Public Schools","date","2025-04-10T12:10:43.917Z","article","The Policy and Governance Committee reviewed proposed revisions to Policy 3323 (Purchasing) on April 9 that respond to findings in the Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) report and voted to recommend the policy sponsor consider those revisions for formal approval after additional clarifications.

PGCPS staff said the draft revisions add requirements the OLA auditors requested: biannual reports to the board listing all contract awards by procurement type (RFP, IFB, task order, ICPA, sole source and emergency procurements) with vendor and award amounts; a required sole-source justification memo when only one vendor is solicited; and strengthened selection and evaluation criteria for intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreements (ICPAs).

On nonpublic special-education placements, staff explained the auditors asked for clearer documentation to protect the school system and recommended a written contract for each nonpublic placement in addition to the state-required invoice/authorization forms. Staff said the operational reality of special-education placements (which sometimes must be arranged rapidly when an IEP team determines an out-of-district placement is necessary) limits the board's ability to approve each placement individually, so the recommended compromise is a comprehensive fiscal-year report of approved nonpublic placements and projected costs at the start of the fiscal year plus a detailed year-end expenditure report.

Committee members raised specific concerns. Several members asked for lower procurement thresholds for board-level review (one member proposed returning the superintendent'approval threshold for non-construction procurements from $100,000 back toward $50,000) and asked that professional-services thresholds requiring board approval be reduced from the draft'level. Members also requested clearer, measurable participation goals and stronger public outreach and reporting for underrepresented businesses and minority-owned vendors.

Purchasing staff had proposed updating certain dollar thresholds to reflect changes in state law and procurement practice; committee members asked staff to provide a historical contract-level spreadsheet so members can see how many awards would be affected by each threshold change. The committee did not advance the draft for second consideration; members asked for written proposals of the specific changes they discussed and additional review by procurement staff before moving the item forward.

The committee voted to recommend the purchasing-policy revision to the policy sponsor for revision approval, with committee members asking staff to return with (1) a redline that tracks all changes requested by the committee, (2) analysis of how many contracts would fall into each threshold band, and (3) proposed measurable participation targets and outreach steps for underrepresented vendors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Policy & Governance Committee Meeting, April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Policy and Governance Committee reviewed draft revisions to Purchasing Policy 3323 on April 9 that implement corrective actions from the Office of Legislative Audits and voted to recommend the revision to the policy sponsor after requesting more detail on thresholds, reporting and supplier inclusion goals.","taxTitle","Prince George's County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14202,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6081322,"PGCPS staff outline changes from Maryland's 'Excellence in Maryland Public Schools' law; system to assess local impacts",2041,111000,2152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5&start=111&end=2152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6081322/Maryland/PGCPS-staff-outline-changes-from-Marylands-Excellence-in-Maryland-Public-Schools-law-system-to-assess-local-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081322-65442c51d186d76cc6f43bc6f504a8d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161809&Signature=StwuuIEPTrLK4lfVIzvj3iWIXZ6fwxo2yTVqNuylQ17soCT14C3JAUWQQ6pX3iwYxf20NHw5IgDSNrsAj0KkyqHhFYqI0Dn0Yo7-2qoT8LzjvB6EjCOrjoNlWyFIjW7NuqsrCtem852PYHA5jcgBDrdAcTpJc4fjgH4Ci9ci3lDtE6uI3HmnBU1IvtFrr3L9oPRBsvOgJ-vf-aHNOl~W~JUWYA550rsdpmleCK76FMDqrEHaYTCguphFakEi513Os8BJLrsJQkG5ZvbFG3E9T1R6PaDairf4IyGLkoIGkvHeyyXFgQ4DRVb5HUvzK7Mp6HSwTDfySmmkG9-cbH9RCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prince George's County Public Schools staff told the Policy and Governance Committee on April 9 that the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act (House Bill 504) passed with numerous amendments and will require systemwide review to determine operational and fiscal effects.

Committee member Robin Welsh, who presented the legislative update, said the bill restored some per-pupil funding for fiscal 2026 but set lower increases in following years and preserved a revenue trigger that would stop per-pupil increases if general fund revenues fall \"3.75 percent below the March general fund estimate.\" Welsh said the law also extended funding for local workforce-development partnerships through 2028 while adding extensive data and accountability requirements for those programs.

Why it matters: the bill alters funding formulas and program requirements that affect local budgets, staff duties and school programming. Committee members said PGCPS divisions including finance, academics and human resources will need to evaluate the bill's implications for hiring, services and budget reconciliation.

Welsh summarized other provisions she said the committee should expect to affect operations. The law creates two Maryland School Leadership Academy tracks for school and system leaders, continues a national teacher recruitment campaign that includes a $2,000 Maryland teacher relocation incentive grant for eligible newly hired candidates, and funds an Academic Excellence Program that places department-funded instructional coaches in participating schools. \"The department shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the county board that elects to participate in the program,\" Welsh said of the coaching program, meaning local participation will be voluntary and require a memorandum of agreement.

The bill authorizes new wraparound services for community schools, including evidence-based in-school tutoring during the school day and requires community-school reporting at the countywide level when counties use up to 50% of community schools funds for central or administrative functions. Welsh said the State Department of Education is increasing staffing and auditing practices for community-school funds and that PGCPS will likely need to revise its community-school policy to add systemwide implementation and reporting requirements.

On teacher workforce strategies, Welsh described a state-funded \"Grow Your Own\" program that will fund collaboratives (multi-district and labor partnerships) to implement registered teacher apprenticeships and residencies; she said grants will be competitive and the department will consult a national nonprofit to design the state-level program.

Committee members asked for follow-up analyses. Board member Walker asked staff to model the bill's per-pupil and compensatory-education changes for budget reconciliation; other members asked Human Resources and academic leadership to estimate operational impacts of in-school tutoring, collaborative time and any new staffing needs. Welsh said PGCPS will compile division-level responsibilities and fiscal projections and return with recommendations.

The committee also discussed recently enacted school-related bills of note, including changes to comprehensive health education and a youth suicide-prevention measure that was amended from a \"must\" to a \"should\" and therefore is less prescriptive. Staff said opportunities exist to participate in the forthcoming regulatory process that will spell out how the law will be implemented.

Committee Chair Dr. Felton Moss closed the discussion by directing staff to continue cross-divisional analysis and to brief the committee with budget and implementation impacts ahead of reconciliation work.","Staff briefed the Policy and Governance Committee on the new state law (House Bill 504) that adjusts per-pupil funding, extends workforce-development funding, adds accountability for community schools and creates teacher recruitment incentives; PGCPS will evaluate operational and budget impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":44,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6081312,"PGCPS committee recommends revised debt-management policy, seeks defined debt limits and quarterly reporting",568,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5&start=2846&end=3414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942860-3a4ef963f1cb9da848994deb7aab97c5/thumbnail_2846000.jpg","/articles/6081312/Maryland/PGCPS-committee-recommends-revised-debt-management-policy-seeks-defined-debt-limits-and-quarterly-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081312-cf1d7e7c31891cb660b1a381678dc64f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161809&Signature=BbnHgvrsTb-IM47GwTstHheZOOVrN~NTMO1EhLyPKHD3aS4sF-eNIcOFOXqgoo04n-3lcuRdpKpZICcG2KqWXJflbHjb-u4wqB5xuLusvJY6C11CRLQJlNSYZ4hUsl6FQbvWYWpgkTuA7R0ow7Wb3Xtry1iC8kVxcd7NSN8UQobjMQCSQCmFkz59ruyVxIywgq6q0kfouEtu-p6Cj8Z3K0VY-Unik0TF9Ol7XisCHwNCxv3Ycls8BVt9jwaRbQE-uolLSMFVvDTHrcmHQy1-fJRyeRgVKrZr-6gDBzpTcJ4PhXNeboFGhcpztq95Jq4VGFveZRsNjiSAuG~PIv1gTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Policy and Governance Committee on April 9 recommended that Policy 3120 (Debt Management) be revised to establish process and limits for noncapital borrowing and to require regular reporting to the board.

PGCPS staff explained the proposed draft assigns the superintendent responsibility to provide full financing proposals to the committee for lease-purchase and other noncapital financing. Proposals should include purpose, maximum principal amount, maximum term, maximum interest rate, projected debt service schedule, funding sources and alignment with the district strategic plan. The committee would review and approve proposals and then forward recommendations to the full board for final approval, except in cases the board chooses to consider proposals directly.

The draft sets a ceiling for noncapital debt at no more than 5 percent of the total unrestricted budget and requires that revenue sources for pledged debt meet a 2 percent debt-coverage test. Staff said exceptions would be allowed only when alternative funding sources are available. The superintendent would designate a staff member to provide quarterly reports to the board listing projected needs, revenue projections sufficient to pay debt-service and remaining balances.

Committee members discussed whether some decisions should bypass the committee and go straight to the full board and asked staff to confirm historical practice; staff noted previous bus and equipment lease-purchase proposals had been presented directly to the full board with supporting materials and a resolution authorizing the borrowing. The committee voted to recommend the revised policy to the sponsor for approval and asked that the draft reflect whichever committee-or-board flow the board prefers and include the specified debt limits and reporting language.

The vote: committee members present voted in favor during the roll call and the motion passed; the transcript records the committee's action as \"Policy 3120, debt management will be recommended to the policy sponsor for revision approval.\"","Policy 3120 (Debt Management) revisions were presented and the committee voted to recommend the policy sponsor approve changes that set acceptable borrowing ranges, require committee review of financing proposals and mandate quarterly status reports to the board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PGCPS purchasing policy revised after OLA findings; committee recommends changes, seeks more detail before public consideration

PGCPS staff outline changes from Maryland's 'Excellence in Maryland Public Schools' law; system to assess local impacts

PGCPS committee recommends revised debt-management policy, seeks defined debt limits and quarterly reporting